Local reaction to Clancy's death muted

This 2010 image released by G.P. Putnam Sons shows author Tom Clancy in Huntingtown, Md. Clancy, the bestselling author of "The Hunt for Red October" and other wildly successful technological thrillers, has died. He was 66. Penguin Group (USA) said Wednesday that Clancy died Tuesday in Baltimore. The publisher did not disclose a cause of death. (AP Photo/G.P. Putnam Sons, David Burnett)

The death of best-selling author Tom Clancy Wednesday brought mixed reaction at local libraries and bookstores.

Although social media were buzzing with chatter about the death of the popular writer, whose best-known works include "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games," book fans had yet to respond to the news.

According to Heidi Stauffer, assistant manager at Barnes & Noble in Spring Township, not a single shopper had come in seeking a Tom Clancy novel.

"That might have something to do with the fact that his fans already have read all his novels," Stauffer said. "We're preparing for the release of his new book, 'Command Authority' (written with Mark Greaney), in December."

Stauffer said there were no plans to order more Clancy novels, but they were setting up an "In Memoriam" table of his work.

"We're also cross-marketing with the movies based on his books," she said. "We'll have some DVDs on the table as well."

Public reaction depends on who the figure is, Stauffer explained.

"When Michael Jackson died, we couldn't keep anything about or by him on the shelves," she said.

Clancy, she added, is a different sort of artist.

Mallory Hoffman, library director of the Exeter Community Library, Exeter Township, also said that so far there has been no rush on Clancy novels.

"I think it's too fresh in people's minds," she said. "It's too new. Maybe next week we'll see more interest. He's always been a popular author. People who never have read his novels may, because of his death, come in now to take a look at his work.

"And I may order an extra copy of his new book."

Tina Hess, a library clerk who works the desk at the Wyomissing Public Library, Wyomissing, said no one had taken out a Clancy novel Wednesday.

"And I'm at the desk," she said. "We have a very large following of his work here. But even his die-hard fans may reread one of his books. It just hasn't happened yet."

As for ordering extra copies of "Command Authority," Hess said, "We'll wait and see what happens in the next few days."